Grand Central Murder (1942)

When a gold digging actress (Patricia Dane) turns up dead in the private railroad car of a millionaire (Mark Daniels), there is no shortage of suspects. A police inspector (Sam Levene) rounds up the suspects in one room and through a series of flashbacks, we get the backstory that lead to the actress's killing and eventually, the murderer. Based on the novel by Sue MacVeigh and directed by S. Sylvan Simon (THE FULLER BRUSH MAN). This unassuming whodunit comedy courtesy of MGM's B movie unit is fun especially if you're a murder mystery fan (like me). It's terribly contrived and overly complicated but it's got a wonderful ensemble cast of MGM's second string players and they all get their moment to shine. Van Heflin wasn't yet a "name" (his Oscar win for JOHNNY EAGER would give him status at MGM) so as a private detective who breaks the case, he's just part of the ensemble. A minor film to be sure but if it crosses your path, you should have a good time. The spirited cast includes Stephen McNally, Virginia Grey, Tom Conway, Connie Gilchrist, Millard Mitchell, Samuel S. Hinds and Cecilia Parker.